The Best Semiconductor Of Them All?

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Cubic boron arsenide, which handles heat ten times better than silicon, could become the new king of semiconductors, especially in electric vehicles. Despite silicon’s ubiquity as a semiconductor material, it has two weaknesses: its lack of accommodation for electrical particles called “holes” and its poor heat capacity. It’s already being replaced in EV semiconductors by the more heat-conducive silicon carbide, despite being less accommodating to holes. Cubic boron arsenide doesn’t have these weaknesses, so it could easily replace both of these materials once scientists learn how to produce it reliably. Read full article here

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To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater

With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here

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A look inside the lab building mushroom computers

The Unconventional Computing Laboratory at the University of the West of England is pushing the boundaries of computing, working to see if mushrooms can be used to carry out computing and sensing functions. By stimulating the mycelium—the branching, web-like root structure of the fungus—researchers can get it to produce electrical activity and see if it can be used to create complex, multi-dimensional functions that are more precise than traditional computers. This could lead to a whole new world of possibilities, such as using mushrooms to create fault-tolerant, energy-efficient computers and even mapping neural networks. It’s truly a fascinating field of study – and one that could shape the future of computing. Read full article here

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